20A trapezoidal reference current pulse generator for the evaluation of current transducers

Abstract

The design and evaluation of a high precision pulsed current source for the dynamic characterisation of shunts and burden resistors is described. This generator uses a set of current mirrors based on ratio resistor networks to amplify a 10 mA DC current reference and to subsequently generate a pulse by means of a complementary pulse approach. Simulations and preliminary results of the complementary pulse circuit will be presented.

Measurement of Excess Noise in Thin Film and Metal Foil Resistor Networks

“…A skilled circuit designer could gain further advantages from large resistor arrays, as elements from different units can be connected in series or in parallel to achieve one or more of the following design goals: 1) obtain any desired value or ratio; 2) further improve tolerances or TC by statistical averaging; 3) optimize power dissipation on the element or package level; 4) decrease maximum voltage or current per element; 5) reduce the impact of parasitics. Some examples of high precision circuits successfully realized using these methods include 7 V/10 V scaling for buried Zener voltage references [11] and current mirrors with sub-ppm TC [12] [13].…”